Summary of the invention
But this situation still can not be avoided the partly aggegation of spacer, differs and suppresses the dispersion of box thickness surely.Therefore, the present invention proposes in view of the above problems, and purpose aims to provide liquid-crystal apparatus, the manufacture method of this liquid-crystal apparatus and the electronic equipment with this liquid-crystal apparatus of the unevenness that prevents or suppress the substrate interval, the reduction of difficult generation demonstration grade etc.
In order to address the above problem, liquid-crystal apparatus of the present invention is the liquid-crystal apparatus of configuration isolation thing between a pair of substrate of clamping liquid crystal layer, it is characterized in that: form recess on the substrate of at least one side in above-mentioned a pair of substrate, above-mentioned spacer mainly is set at this recess.
According to such liquid-crystal apparatus, recess is set on substrate and spacer mainly is set to structure in the recess because be set as, so, can make substrate more even at interval, simultaneously, can freely design substrate according to the relation of the diameter of concave depth and spacer at interval.In addition, can prevent to flow out, and then can prevent so that inhibition spacer free (swimming) in liquid crystal layer down to suppressing the zone of spacer beyond recess.In addition, in the reality, further preferably only be configured to spacer in the recess, particularly, on making, as much as possible spacer is configured in the recess, for example exactly, the recess that is set to more than 90% of spacer of configuration is existed, realize that effect of the present invention aspect is just more satisfactory.
In liquid-crystal apparatus of the present invention, also can be set as and in real estate, have pixel region and non-pixel region, form the structure of recess at non-pixel region.In this case, because spacer mainly is configured in non-pixel region, so, can prevent or suppress of the influence of this spacer to showing, for example can prevent or suppress because of the disorderly bad generation of demonstration that causes of the liquid crystal aligning around the spacer.In addition, when in the liquid-crystal apparatus of the structure that is comprising pixel region and non-pixel region during the configuration isolation thing,, then be preferably and be arranged on non-pixel region if consider influence to showing.But, thereby when pixel region being increased make the area that helps to show too to increase, non-pixel region just have become all the more narrow hectare to.Difficulty to the non-pixel region configuration isolation thing of so continuous stricturization is a lot, but be disposed under this situation at non-pixel region formation recess and with spacer as in the present invention, owing to easily spacer is imported recess, so, can more easily spacer be configured to non-pixel region.Therefore, even to the non-pixel region of continuous stricturization also configuration isolation thing more reliably, and then can provide the liquid-crystal apparatus of display characteristic excellence.
In addition, can be configured to and above-mentioned pixel region forms a plurality of dyed layers accordingly, simultaneously forming the photomask thinner than this dyed layer accordingly with non-pixel region between each dyed layer, forms the structure of above-mentioned recess on this photomask.Like this, in chromatic filter,, can on this photomask, form above-mentioned recess by making the photomask that forms accordingly with non-pixel region thinner than dyed layer with dyed layer and photomask, as long as spacer is configured to this recess as described above, just can realize effect of the present invention.
In addition, can be configured to form on the substrate of the side in a pair of substrate a plurality of scan electrodes, be formed with a plurality of data electrodes of intersecting with scan electrode on the opposing party's the substrate, in the structure of the above-mentioned recess of formation between each scan electrode and between each data electrode.Like this, in having the simple matrix type liquid-crystal apparatus of scan electrode and data electrode, form recess forming between each electrode of strip for example, thereby, can realize effect of the present invention as long as spacer is configured to this recess as described above.In addition, for example also can directly on substrate, form recess.
In addition, can make part or all of surface of above-mentioned spacer have the orientation control device.Promptly, though the orientation disorder at the near surface generation liquid crystal of spacer, the phenomenon that causes contrast to descend are arranged, but by making surface have the orientation control device like this to spacer, even the near surface at spacer also can make the orientation of liquid crystal normal, and then can provide the liquid-crystal apparatus that is difficult for taking place degradation undesirable condition under the contrast.In addition, as the orientation control device, can enumerate favourable usefulness for example silane coupling agent etc. make separator surface attach the practice of the alkyl of long-chain.
In addition, can be set as structure on part or all of surface that the thermmohardening type resin that makes sclerosis is attached to spacer.Like this, by forming thermmohardening type resin on the surface of spacer and after for example spacer being configured to recess, imposing thermal treatment, just can make spacer with respect to the set stably of recess bottom surface, for example can prevent more reliably that spacer breaks away from recess and bad phenomenon such as swim takes place.
In addition, also can be set as the structure that spacer is subjected to painted processing.For example, under the situation that this liquid-crystal apparatus is used as display device, in the zone of deceiving demonstration (show slinkingly and show), spacer light leak from being disposed sometimes, cause carrying out white demonstration (obviously showing) in this part, but as described above spacer is imposed painted processing, particularly be coloured to the spacer of black, just can deceive demonstration (show slinkingly and show) reliably by use.
Secondly, the manufacture method of above-mentioned liquid-crystal apparatus is characterised in that and comprises following operation.Promptly, the manufacture method of liquid-crystal apparatus of the present invention is the manufacture method of the liquid-crystal apparatus of configuration isolation thing between a pair of substrate of clamping liquid crystal layer, it is characterized in that: be included in that the recess that forms recess on the substrate of at least one side in the aforesaid substrate forms operation and spacer that above-mentioned spacer is set in the above-mentioned recess sets operation; Wherein, set in the operation at this spacer, by the mode that spues by drop making above-mentioned spacer be distributed to spue above-mentioned recess on the aforesaid substrate of spacer dispersion soln in the solvent of appointment, and and then make above-mentioned solvent evaporation, and above-mentioned spacer is set in the above-mentioned recess.
Like this, carry out the distribution of spacer, by can be controlled at the position and the number of the spacer that scatters on the substrate at an easy rate by the spue drop mode of spuing of nozzle of the drop that uses the spue position and the number of times that spues at random to set the drop that spues.Therefore, according to having adopted the spue manufacture method of the present invention of mode of drop, can reliably drop be dripped in the recess on the substrate.And, because making drop face toward recess in the present invention drips, so, even under the situation that drop overflows from this recess, when making solvent evaporation, spacer also can be easy to owing to core from the surface tension of solvent to titration point, be that the core of recess is assembled, thereby can more reliably spacer be set near the recess center.Thereby can be so that spacer is only set in the recess that is formed on the substrate.In addition, as the drop mode that spues, for example can exemplify the ink-jetting style that uses inkjet nozzle etc.
In the manufacture method of liquid-crystal apparatus of the present invention, recess forms operation can pass through to form the electrode of assignment graph on substrate, and forms recess between this electrode.
Perhaps, recess forms operation also can be by forming a plurality of photomasks and forming dyed layer than this shading thickness between each photomask on the substrate, and form recess on photomask, in addition, also can be on substrate direct formation recess.
In addition, electronic equipment of the present invention is characterised in that as for example display device and possesses above-mentioned liquid-crystal apparatus.Like this, by possessing liquid-crystal apparatus of the present invention, can provide the electronic equipment of display quality excellence.
Embodiment
Below, with reference to accompanying drawing embodiments of the invention are described.Liquid-crystal apparatus
Embodiment 1.
Fig. 1 is the part floor map of expression as the liquid crystal indicator of the embodiment 1 of liquid-crystal apparatus of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is the A-A ' diagrammatic cross-section of Fig. 1, and present embodiment is the example of the liquid crystal indicator of simple matrix mode.In following accompanying drawing,, make the thickness of each structural element and the ratio of size etc. suitably different in addition in order to see accompanying drawing easily clearly.
As shown in Figure 2, the summary of liquid crystal indicator 1 constitute possess with infrabasal plate 2 and upper substrate 3 relative configurations and in by the space of upper and lower base plate 2,3 clampings clamping (the SuperTwisted Nematic by STN is arranged, supertwist is to row) liquid crystal 4 that constitutes of liquid crystal and liquid crystal panel 10 that constitutes substantially and the backlight (diagram is slightly) that is provided in the back side (exterior side of infrabasal plate 2) of this liquid crystal panel 10.
In the inner face side of the infrabasal plate 2 that constitutes by glass or resin etc., be extended with the scan electrode 8 of the strip that constitutes by nesa coatings such as ITO in the paper vertical direction, and the alignment films 9 that is made of polyimide etc. arranged with the mode lamination that covers this scan electrode 8.On the other hand, inner face side at the upper substrate 3 that constitutes by glass or resin etc., be extended with the signal electrode 6 of the strip that is made of nesa coatings such as ITO orthogonally in a lateral direction in diagram with the scan electrode 8 of infrabasal plate 2, lamination is formed with the alignment films 7 that is made of polyimide etc. on this signal electrode 6.
As depicted in figs. 1 and 2, the zone that scan electrode 8 and signal electrode 6 intersect is set as the pixel region 35 that shows by the liquid crystal drive of being undertaken by the variation of current potential between electrode, but not the zone that each electrode 8,6 intersects is set as non-pixel region 36.The gap portion of the scan electrode 8 that non-pixel region 36 is strips or the signal electrode 6 of strip, the non-formation zone as these electrodes 8,6 forms recess 39 at least on this non-pixel region 36.
On the other hand, between the upper substrate 3 of the infrabasal plate 2 that forms scan electrode 8 and alignment films 9 and formation signal electrode 6 and alignment films 7, hold liquid crystal (liquid crystal layer) 4 with spacer 15 between therebetween, in the present embodiment, particularly spacer 15 only or mainly is provided in the recess 39.Thereby, because the liquid crystal indicator of present embodiment 1, spacer 15 only or is mainly set on the bottom surface of the recess 39 that non-pixel region 36 forms, compared so disperse to set the situation of the different part of height on the substrate with spacer, substrate is (box at interval) homogenising more in face at interval.In addition, by suitably set the diameter of spacer 15 according to the degree of depth of recess 39, can obtain substrate interval (box at interval) arbitrarily, thereby increase the degree of freedom that substrate designs at interval.
In addition, for the degree of depth of at random setting recess 39 or in order further to increase the degree of depth of recess 39, also can be on infrabasal plate 2 direct formation shrinkage pool (cave), and to setting spacer 15 in the position.In addition, in the present embodiment, expressed the example that forms recess 39 at non-pixel region 36, but, consider from the viewpoint of substrate homogenising at interval, get final product so long as for example set spacer, also can form recess at non-pixel region especially with respect to the recess on the substrate that at random forms.
Embodiment 2.
Fig. 3 is the part floor map of expression as the liquid crystal indicator of the embodiment 2 of liquid-crystal apparatus of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is the X-X ' diagrammatic cross-section of Fig. 3, and present embodiment is the example of the liquid crystal indicator of active matrix mode.In following accompanying drawing,, make the thickness of each structural element and the ratio of size etc. suitably different in addition in order to see accompanying drawing easily clearly.
As shown in Figure 4, the summary of liquid crystal indicator 100 constitute possess with infrabasal plate 102 and upper substrate 103 relative configurations and in by the space of upper and lower base plate 102,103 clampings clamping liquid crystal 104 is arranged and the backlight (diagram summary) of the liquid crystal panel 110 that constitutes and the back side (exterior side of infrabasal plate 102) that is provided in this liquid crystal panel 110.The liquid crystal indicator 100 of present embodiment has used TFT (Thin Fi1m Transistor, thin film transistor (TFT)) element as on-off element, and this TFT element is formed on the non-pixel region 136 of infrabasal plate 102.Thereby in the present embodiment, infrabasal plate 102 is set as device substrate, and upper substrate 103 is set as counter substrate.
In the inner face side of the infrabasal plate 102 that constitutes by glass or resin etc., be formed with the alignment films 109 that forms rectangular pixel electrode 108 and constitute by polyimide etc. that constitutes by nesa coatings such as ITO in order to cover this pixel electrode 108.On the other hand, in the inner face side of the upper substrate 103 that is made of glass or resin etc., lamination is formed with the opposite electrode that spreads all over whole plane 106 that is made of nesa coatings such as ITO, be formed on the color filter layer 105 that comprises dyed layer 112 and photomask 113 on this opposite electrode 106 and be formed on the alignment films 107 that is made of polyimide etc. on the color filter layer 105.
As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, pixel electrode 108 and dyed layer 112 are formed on from the plane to be seen on the same area, carries out colour by the liquid crystal drive of being undertaken by the variation of the current potential between pixel electrode 108 and the opposite electrode 106 and shows.Like this, the zone that is formed with pixel electrode 108 and dyed layer 112 is set as pixel region 135, and the zone that do not form the zone of pixel electrode 108, promptly is formed with photomask 113 is set as non-pixel region 136.And in the present embodiment, light shield layer 113 is configured so that thinner than dyed layer 112, thus, in the zone that is formed with light shield layer 113, is formed with recess 139 on the upper substrate 103 of promptly non-pixel region 136.
On the other hand, at the infrabasal plate 102 that is formed with pixel electrode 108 and alignment films 109 be formed with between the upper substrate 103 of opposite electrode 106, color filter layer 105 and alignment films 107, Jie is provided with spacer 115 ground clampings and liquid crystal (liquid crystal layer) 104, in the present embodiment, especially spacer 115 only or is mainly set in the recess 139.Thereby, because the liquid crystal indicator of present embodiment 100 only or mainly is provided in spacer 115 on the bottom surface that is formed at the recess 139 on the photomask 113 of non-pixel region 136, so, compare with the situation that spacer is provided on the different part of height on the substrate dispersedly, substrate is (box at interval) homogenising more in face at interval.In addition, by suitably set the diameter of spacer 115 according to the degree of depth of recess 139, can obtain substrate interval (box at interval) arbitrarily, thereby increase the degree of freedom that substrate designs at interval.In addition,, also can directly on upper substrate 103, form shrinkage pool for the degree of depth of at random setting recess 139 or in order further to increase the degree of depth of recess 139, and to setting spacer 115 in the position.
Below, the structure of the spacer 15 (115) that uses in the liquid crystal indicator to the various embodiments described above describes.Spacer 15 can constitute with the pellet part that for example is made of silicon dioxide or polystyrene etc., thickness (box thickness), the particularly degree of depth with recess 39,139 that its diameter was set to and enclosed the liquid crystal (liquid crystal layer) 4,104 in the liquid-crystal apparatus adapt, for example, in the scope of 2~10 μ m, select.
As spacer 15 (115), as shown in Figure 5, can adopt the structure of surface attachment thermosetting resin.In this case, can make spacer 15 (115) fixing reliably by the sclerosis of thermosetting resin with respect to downside substrate (tft array substrate) 10,110 and/or upside substrate (counter substrate) 20,120.For example, by after setting spacer 15 (115) on the downside substrate (tft array substrate) 10,110, heat-treating, make the thermosetting resin sclerosis, and make spacer 15 (115) with respect to downside substrate (tft array substrate) 10,110 sets.
In addition, on the surface of spacer, can routine form the surface-treated layer 151 of the alkyl that attaches long-chain as shown in Figure 6.Attach the method for surface-treated layer 151 of the alkyl of long-chain as setting, can enumerate for example has the silane coupling agent of use to carry out the surface-treated method.Under the situation of using the spacer 15 that is not provided with surface-treated layer 151, particularly be formed with under the situation of recess 39,139 at pixel region, shown in Fig. 8 (a), have orientation disorder, in the phenomenon of this part generation light leak at the near surface liquid crystal molecule of spacer 15.On the other hand, shown in Fig. 8 (b), be provided with in use under the situation of spacer 15a of surface-treated layer 151, can make the direction orientation (situation of present embodiment be vertical orientated) of liquid crystal molecule at the near surface of spacer 15a, thereby just be difficult for taking place light leakage phenomena in this part along appointment.
In addition, can impose painted processing to spacer, spacer 15b shown in Figure 7 represents to be coloured to an example of the spacer of black.For example, shown in Fig. 9 (a), using non-coloring spacer 15, particularly be formed with under the situation of recess 39,139, when black demonstration (show slinkingly and show) at pixel region, can white some demonstration take place corresponding spacer, become one of reason of contrast reduction sometimes because of this situation.But shown in Fig. 9 (b), by using painted spacer 15b shown in Figure 7, when black demonstration (show slinkingly and show), the point that the white of corresponding spacer just can not take place shows.When white demonstration (obviously showing),, the point of the black of corresponding isolating points shows that in addition the point of the white during with black demonstration (show slinkingly and show) shows to be compared, little to the influence of contrast reduction though can taking place.
The manufacture method of liquid-crystal apparatus
Below, being example with liquid crystal indicator illustrated in figures 1 and 21 describes the manufacture method of the liquid-crystal apparatus of the foregoing description.At first, on the substrate 2 of the downside that constitutes by glass etc., for example form scan electrode 8, and then formation has been carried out the alignment films 9 after the friction treatment with its covering to polyimide by photoetching process strip ground.By forming scan electrode 8 and alignment films 9, can between each scan electrode 8 of strip, form recess 39.In addition, if the non-zone recess of formation ditch shape on substrate 2 in advance that forms of corresponding scan electrode 8 just can freely design concave depth to a certain extent.
After like this forming scan electrode 8 and alignment films 9, isolating points 15 is set in the recess 39 on the substrate 2.Particularly, under the situation of present embodiment, spue on the recess 39 of substrate 2 making spacer 15 utilize ultrasound wave etc. to be distributed to the spacer dispersion soln that forms in the single solvent that is selected from water, chlorofluorocarbons, isopropyl alcohol, the ethanol etc. or 2 kinds or the above mixed solvent equably exactly, dryly realizes that the fixed point on recess 39 disposes by making it with the concentration of appointment.In this case, when the spuing of the spacer dispersion soln on recess 39, can use ink-jet method.
Below, the fixed point configuration of the spacer 15 that used ink-jet method is described.Under the situation of present embodiment, by using Figure 10 and inkjet nozzle 300 shown in Figure 11, can at random set the spue position and the number of times that spues of the drop (spacer dispersion soln) that spues, thereby on the assigned address (recess 39) on the substrate 2 that the spacer dispersion soln of specified amount can be spued.And, after the spacer dispersion soln spues,, can in to the recess on the substrate 2 39, realize the fixed point configuration of the spacer 15 of appointment number by making the solvent spontaneous evaporation or the heating evaporation of this dispersion soln.
Figure 10 and Figure 11 represent the stereographic map and the sectional view of inkjet nozzle 300 respectively.As shown in figure 10, inkjet nozzle 300 has for example nozzle plate 310 and the oscillating plate 320 of stainless steel, and both engage via partition member (resolver plate) 330.Between nozzle plate 310 and oscillating plate 320, form a plurality of spaces 340 and liquid storing part 350 by partition member 330.The inside of each space 340 and liquid storing part 350 has been full of above-mentioned spacer dispersion soln, and each space 340 and liquid storing part 350 are communicated with via supply port 360.In addition, on the nozzle plate 310, be provided with the nozzle bore 370 that is used for 340 injection spacer dispersion solns from the space.On the other hand, on oscillating plate 320, be formed with the hole 380 that is used for supplying with the spacer dispersion soln to liquid storing part 350.
In addition, as shown in figure 11, oscillating plate 320 and with the face of the opposite side of face of space 340 subtends on engage piezoelectric element 390 arranged.Piezoelectric element 390 is between pair of electrodes 400, and piezoelectric element 390 is just with outstanding laterally mode bending when energising, and simultaneously, it is also crooked laterally integratedly to engage the oscillating plate 320 that piezoelectric element 390 is arranged.Thus, the volume in space 340 increases.Therefore, suitable with the volume that increases spacer dispersion soln just flow in the space 340 via supply port 360 from liquid storing part 350.Then, when the energising removed to piezoelectric element 390, piezoelectric element 390 and oscillating plate 320 all return to original shape.Like this because space 340 also reverts to original volume, so the pressure of the spacer dispersion soln of 340 inside, space rises, from nozzle bore 370 to the spue drop 410 of spacer dispersion soln of substrate.
According to the spacer collocation method that uses such ink-jetting style, can control the distribution position of spacer 15, particularly, only can provide exactly on recess 39 or be the liquid crystal indicator that main body sets spacer 15 with recess 39.On the other hand, on the substrate 3 of upside, be formed with signal electrode 6 and alignment films 7, by encapsulant substrate 3 and the substrate 2 that is provided with above-mentioned spacer 15 are fitted mutually, after the seal member sclerosis, inject liquid crystal 4 from the liquid crystal injecting port that is formed on the encapsulant, and by encapsulating material with the sealing of this inlet, thereby can obtain liquid crystal panel illustrated in figures 1 and 2 10.
In addition, under the situation of Fig. 3 and liquid crystal indicator 100 shown in Figure 4, be on as the substrate 102 of the downside of device substrate, to form after the TFT element, on this substrate, form pixel electrode 108 and alignment films 109, on the other hand, on as the substrate 103 of the upside of counter substrate, form opposite electrode 106, and then form photomask 113 and the dyed layer 105 thicker than this photomask 113, thus the formation position of corresponding photomask 113 formation recess 139.And, after forming alignment films 107, utilize above-mentioned ink-jet method that spacer 115 is set on the recess 139, similarly making after each substrate fits mutually, inject liquid crystal with above-mentioned, seal then, just obtain liquid crystal panel 110 thus.In addition, in this case too, the formation position by corresponding photomask 113 forms the ditch shape in advance on substrate 3 recess can freely design concave depth.
Like this, in the manufacture method of the liquid crystal indicator that sets the present embodiment that has used ink-jet method in the operation of spacer, thereby be by dripping to the spacer dispersion soln in the recess 39 especially and making solvent evaporation spacer be set the concavity inside of recess 39, but for example shown in Figure 12 (a), under the situation that spacer dispersion soln 158 is dripped from inkjet nozzle 300, this spacer dispersion soln 158 can overflow from recess 39.And, for example shown in Figure 12 (a), sometimes in addition spacer 15 also can overflow from recess 39, but in the present embodiment owing to be formed with recess 39, so, in solvent evaporation, because the capillary effect of this solution 158, spacer 15 can move to the central side of recess 39, as a result, the spacer 15 that overflows from recess 39 when drop drips also can move and set recess 39 inside.Therefore, by as present embodiment, forming recess 39 and using ink-jet method, can only be formed on spacer 15 on the recess 39 or mainly be formed on the recess 39.
Electronic equipment
Below, any one the instantiation of electronic equipment that has in the liquid crystal indicator shown in the foregoing description 1 and the embodiment 2 is described.
Figure 13 (a) is the stereographic map of an example of expression portable phone.In Figure 13 (a), label 500 expression portable phone bodies, label 501 expressions have any one the liquid crystal display part in the liquid crystal indicator of the foregoing description 1 and embodiment 2.
Figure 13 (b) is the stereographic map of an example of portable information processing devices such as expression word processor, PC.In Figure 13 (b), label 600 expression signal conditioning packages, input parts such as label 601 expression keyboards, label 603 expression information processing bodies, label 602 expressions have any one the liquid crystal display part in the liquid crystal indicator of the foregoing description 1 and embodiment 2.
Figure 13 (c) is the stereographic map of an example of expression Wristwatch-type electronic equipment.In Figure 13 (c), label 700 expression wrist-watch bodies, label 701 expressions have any one the liquid crystal display part in the liquid crystal indicator of the foregoing description 1 and embodiment 2.
Like this, because each electronic equipment shown in Figure 13 (a)~(c) is any one the electronic equipment with liquid crystal indicator of the foregoing description 1 and embodiment 2, so constituted the electronic equipment of display quality excellence.
As mentioned above, according to the present invention, form recess on the substrate of at least one side in a pair of substrate, spacer is mainly set on this recess, therefore, can make substrate at interval more even, and can freely design the substrate interval according to the relation of the diameter of concave depth and spacer.In addition, can prevent or suppress the outflow of the spacer in the zone beyond recess, and then it is free in liquid crystal layer to prevent or suppress spacer.